ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- A lady identified simply as Damiete Green, is reportedly in critical condition at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Rivers state, writhing in pains of gunshots after a soldier shot indiscriminately.
The soldier was said to be shooting at fleeing transporter of illegal refined products, when he fired at a wrong vehicle conveying her (Green).
The Soldier, identified as Sgt Yinka Ayileka, is said to be one of a team of Army guards attached to the Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial Center on Harbour Road, Township Areas, who are known for abandoning their core duty to stage illegal road checkpoints where they collect tolls from motorist and illegal fuel carriers in the neighborhood.
According to eyewitness, the incident on Tuesday, occurred close to popular Rachael Hotel in area where the Army guards watching over the maximum prison had mounted the illegal checkpoints, resulting in the unfortunate shooting at 25-year-old Green.
Sources narrated further that the reckless shooting started when a Toyota Camry car suspected to be conveying illegally refined petroleum product, better known as ‘kpofire’ in the locality, refused to pay the usual ‘toll’ to the security team at the illegal checkpoint.
“The soldier pursued the car and jumped on the bonnet. When the driver refused to stop, he opened fire and started shooting indiscriminately. There were several vehicles trapped in the gridlock caused by the checkpoint and the victim was in one of those, a Lexus 330 salon.”
The driver of the Lexus who was helping to give Green and other occupants who reside in the same neighborhood free ride home confirmed that bullets from the reckless shooting soldier’s gun went through the back passenger door, lodging into back of the Green who sat with another passenger.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers Command, Grace Eringe-Koko declined comment on the matter, saying that enquiry should come from the Army.
Also, the Army Public Relations Officer, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Maj Iyke Iweha, when contacted said he was not aware of the incident and would need time to check and get back.
Deputy Superintendent of Corrections, Juliet Ofoni, Spokesperson, Nigeria Correctional Service, Rivers Command and the military guards at the custodial center involved in the shooting, were also contacted to confirm the incident but they asked to be given time to check and get back.
Meanwhile, the victim, under medicare at crowded Emergency Unit of UPTH, lamented that, “I was scheduled for surgery on Thursday but till now (Friday evening) nothing has happened.
Before the referral to UPTH, some bullets were said to have been extracted from the victim at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (BMH) on the fateful Tuesday the incident happened, leaving most remaining bullets still embedded in her back, and spine area.
Sympathizers and friends suspect attempt by security operatives to sweep an extrajudicial shooting under the carpet, by blaming the incident on stray bullets during alleged cult gangs’ clash in the area.
“It is very painful that the media could be used to spread a blatant lie to hide the evil done by the soldier who was on illegal duty at the post. Nigerians should help us get justice and to ensure that our sister does not die.”, they appealed.